SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A local non-profit held its annual traditional Christmas Banquet Monday afternoon for the Springfield community. The Springfield Rescue Mission provided families with a large place to eat and connect, just days before Christmas. Volunteers helped to make and serve over 1,200 meals to the community. People were also given the option to pick up meals at the door or through a drive-thru. Each person from the banquet also left with a gift. Kevin Ramsdell, the executive director for Springfield Rescue Mission tells 22News why the need is greater than ever, "People lost jobs even if they were able to get to covid again. But getting back to work, they're not making what they once did. So it has created a burden for those who are able to afford apartments and whatnot. It's the utility bills and everything else that they need to keep up on. So there's not enough left over really for them to enjoy the festivities of the season, let alone by Christmas gifts." Ramsdell says he was thrilled to see smiles on the many families who walked through their doors. He says that is a reward in itself. The Springfield Rescue Mission is feeding people on a daily basis through different programs.They do public breakfast and lunch five days a week at 10 Mill Street in Springfield, and a mobile feeding operation that visits different communities. Local News Headlines New England Donor Services seeking more organ donors this holiday season Two men arrested in Holyoke narcotics operation Tips to prevent frozen pipes in extreme cold temps Biden pardons dozens of death row inmates WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.